Riot hits Australian-run migrant camp on Nauru

Nauru signed an agreement with Australia in 2001 to accommodate asylum seekers

Police have restored order after rioting broke out at an Australian-run immigration detention camp on the Pacific island state of Nauru.

Reports said several buildings were set alight on Friday and the camp's medical centre had been destroyed.

Australian immigration officials said about 150 asylum-seekers were involved.

The riot broke out hours after Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd announced tough new measures on asylum-seekers arriving by boat.

Witnesses said a large number of local residents carrying machetes and steel pipes arrived to help police in preventing the asylum-seekers - most of whom are believed to be Iranian - from breaking out.

Australian broadcaster ABC, citing an unnamed security guard at the camp, said refugees began rioting on Friday afternoon and within two hours had overrun the centre.

Many had armed themselves with knives taken from the kitchen, the report said.

At least four inmates and several guards were said to have been injured.

Local photographer Clint Deidenang said that a four-hour protest at the centre was abandoned when a large number of local residents arrived to help authorities contain the violence.